Saudi Arabia officially has officially opened its pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Kingdom’s Participation in International Expos, inaugurated the pavilion — the second-largest at the Expo after that of the host country, Japan — on Sunday, 13 April 2025, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s global cultural diplomacy.
The opening ceremony drew a high-level delegation including Vice Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Kingdom’s Participation in International Expos Hamed Fayez, Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq, and Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan and General Commissioner for the Kingdom’s Pavilion at Expo 2025, Ghazi Faisal Binzagr. The Saudi flag was raised in a ceremonial moment attended by cultural officials and international diplomats.
“We are delighted to inaugurate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which operates under the slogan ‘Discover Saudi Arabia.’ Through the pavilion’s ambitious design, we highlight the many shared qualities and harmony between the Kingdom and Japan,” said Prince Bader during the event. He also thanked Japan for its “excellent organisation of Expo 2025 Osaka, its warm hospitality, and its unwavering cooperation in providing all facilities and support to ensure the success of the Kingdom’s pavilion at this international event.”
The minister noted that this collaboration highlights the special relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, who this year celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He concluded by inviting visitors to “discover the authenticity of our heritage, our ambitious transformations, and our rich culture that is open to the world.”
Architectural inspiration rooted in Saudi tradition at the expo pavilion
The Saudi Pavilion is designed by Foster + Partners, the acclaimed British architectural firm known for its transformative projects around the world. Their brief: to create a structure and experience that encapsulates both the heritage and the aspirations of Saudi Arabia. The result is a pavilion that offers visitors a multisensory journey through the past, present, and future of the Kingdom.
At the heart of the Saudi Pavilion is a powerful design narrative inspired by the organic forms and spatial rhythms of traditional Saudi villages. Visitors enter through a lush forecourt planted with native Saudi flora—a tranquil welcome that serves as a living metaphor for the Kingdom’s desert oases. The forecourt opens into a series of narrow alleys and winding streets that mimic the intricate layout of historic Najdi towns.
These pathways lead to a central courtyard that serves as both a communal gathering space and a cultural stage. By day, it is a shaded, contemplative area that invites pause and reflection. By night, it transforms into a dynamic venue for storytelling, live performances, and multimedia presentations that celebrate the diversity and vitality of Saudi culture.
This village-like configuration is not merely aesthetic—it slows down the visitor’s pace, encouraging exploration, dialogue, and moments of wonder. The overall effect is one of immersion, evoking the spirit of traditional Saudi life while offering a forward-looking perspective on the Kingdom’s future.
Constructed using lightweight Saudi stone, the pavilion also symbolises the Kingdom’s goal of building sustainable and empowered communities. It serves as both a visual metaphor and a tangible demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s capacity to harmonise tradition with future-focused development.
Innovation through immersive storytelling
The Saudi Pavilion is not just a structure—it is an experience. Developed in collaboration with leading creative studios 59 Productions and Squint/Opera, the interior journey features a series of interactive installations that use cutting-edge technology to tell the story of the Kingdom’s transformation.
Visitors encounter themed zones focusing on key pillars of Vision 2030, including sustainability, technological innovation, creative industries, and youth empowerment. Augmented reality, 360-degree projection mapping, and multisensory exhibits combine to deliver a narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant.
Particular emphasis is placed on the Kingdom’s investment in knowledge economies and its role as a bridge between cultures. Whether showcasing AI-driven urban planning, space exploration, or the revitalisation of heritage sites, the pavilion positions Saudi Arabia not just as a country of the future, but as a global collaborator.
The theme “Discover Saudi Arabia” guides this experience, inviting visitors to understand the country’s profound cultural heritage alongside its ambitious goals for modernisation and global connectivity.
Sustainability at its core
True to the spirit of Expo 2025, the Saudi Pavilion is conceived with sustainability as a guiding principle. The structure is constructed using low-carbon materials and incorporates energy-efficient systems, including photovoltaic panels that generate renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and high-performance lighting.
The project targets Japan’s highest green building certification under the CASBEE (Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency) scheme. Moreover, the building is designed to meet Net Zero Operational Carbon targets, underscoring the Kingdom’s pledge to reduce its environmental impact.
In a bold step toward circular design, the entire pavilion is conceived for easy deconstruction, relocation, and reassembly—ensuring that its life and utility continue long after Expo 2025 concludes.
These design choices reflect not only Saudi Arabia’s environmental goals but also its leadership in sustainable development on a global scale.
A platform for cultural diplomacy
Cultural exchange is at the heart of the Saudi Pavilion’s mission. Over the six-month duration of the Expo, the pavilion hosts a dynamic programme of performances, culinary experiences, design showcases, workshops, and artist residencies. Visitors experience everything from traditional Saudi dance and poetry to contemporary theatre, digital art installations, and interactive storytelling.
The pavilion also highlights the diversity of the Kingdom’s regions—from the verdant highlands of Asir and the Red Sea coast, to the urban dynamism of Riyadh and Jeddah. Visitors discover not just the Kingdom’s cultural treasures but also its ambitions to lead in areas like hospitality, logistics, sustainability, and smart-city innovation.
Through its artistic programming and immersive experiences, the pavilion offers a fresh narrative about Saudi Arabia—one that combines cultural depth, openness, and the spirit of innovation.
A national priority on a global stage
The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is emblematic of a broader effort by the Kingdom to expand its soft power and international engagement. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, participating in world expos serves as a vital tool for fostering international understanding, attracting investment, and boosting tourism.
It follows in the footsteps of the critically acclaimed Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which attracted over 4.6 million visitors and won multiple design awards. At Expo 2025, the Kingdom seeks not only to replicate that success but to build on it—presenting a narrative of national transformation grounded in authenticity and ambition.
As the world turns its eyes to Osaka, the Saudi Pavilion stands as an invitation: to explore, to engage, and to imagine a future shaped by tradition, innovation, and shared global values.
Meet Saudi tour preceding expo a major success
Prior to the opening, officials from the Kingdom embarked upon an incredible journey across seven cities in Japan in what was known as the #MeetSaudi tour. Visitors immersed themselves in Saudi culture, from savoring authentic Saudi coffee to enjoying traditional games and interactive experiences. Watch the video:
For updates on Expo, visit https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en or follow the Saudi Pavilion’s official channels for news on events, programme highlights, and visitor information.
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Photos courtesy of KSA Expo 2025 and SPA
